Accessibility Background

What are accessibility standards?
Accessibility standards are guidelines that ensure digital content is perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users, including those with disabilities.

Which standards are commonly used?
The most widely adopted standards are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA. WCAG at a glance.

Why is this important?

Adhering to accessibility standards promotes equitable access to information and helps institutions comply with legal requirements, including Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Justice. Implementing these standards benefits all learners by improving usability, flexibility, and overall user experience. 

Visual Barriers
Students with visual impairments may encounter issues when:

• Images lack alternative text

• Documents are scanned and untagged

• Color contrast is insufficient for readability

Auditory Barriers
Students who are deaf or hard of hearing may face challenges when:

• Videos lack captions or transcripts

• Audio content is not accompanied by text-based alternatives

Cognitive and Learning Barriers
Students with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning disabilities may struggle when:

• Content is poorly organized or lacks clear structure

• Course files are overly complex without explanation

Motor and Mobility Barriers
Students with limited mobility may be impacted when:

• Content can't be navigated using a keyboard

• Click targets (like buttons or links) are too small

• Timed interactions don’t allow sufficient response time

Not All Students Will Disclose Their Disability
Many students who benefit from accessible content may never formally disclose a disability or request accommodations. Designing accessible materials from the start ensures all students have equitable access, regardless of whether their disability is known by others.

Accessibility Benefits Everyone
Accessible content improves usability for all learners. Clear structure, readable text, captions, and flexible formats help students navigating different devices, learning preferences, or language barriers.

Proactive Design Supports Equity
Waiting for accommodation requests can delay access and create unnecessary barriers for students. Proactively following accessibility best practices prevents issues before they arise.

Compliance Is a Shared Responsibility

Digital accessibility is not just a technical or disability services issue—it's a shared responsibility among faculty, staff, and institutions. Following accessibility standards is part of ensuring legal compliance and meeting the needs of all learners. 

What It Does
A screen reader is an assistive technology used primarily by individuals who are blind or have low vision. This technology reads aloud digital content or sends this content to a Braille display, allowing users to navigate and interact with websites, documents, and course platforms independently.

How It Works

• Users rely on a keyboard (not a mouse) to move through course content using screen reader commands and shortcuts.

• Content is read aloud in a logical order based on how it’s structured—headings, lists, tables, and alt text all guide the reading flow.

• Well-designed course content allows screen reader users to navigate and access readings, images, documents, and other content as well as submit assignments, take quizzes, and participate in discussions without barriers.

What It Does
Text-to-speech (TTS) is assistive technology that reads digital text out loud, allowing students to listen to written content instead of reading it visually. It is often used by students with learning disabilities (such as dyslexia), visual impairments, attention-related challenges, or those who simply benefit from auditory reinforcement.

How It Works

• Students highlight or select on-screen text, and the TTS tool reads it aloud—this can include textbooks, PDFs, discussion posts, quizzes, and announcements.

• Tools may include adjustable voice speed, playback controls, and synchronized highlighting to aid focus and comprehension.

• TTS can help with focus, retention, and reducing eye strain—especially when consuming large amounts of reading material.

• ReadSpeaker and YuJa Panorama provide students with options for TTS with content uploaded to D2L.

What It Does
Speech-to-text (also known as voice recognition or dictation software) is assistive technology that converts spoken words into written text in real time. It is commonly used by students with mobility impairments, learning disabilities, or conditions that make typing difficult or fatiguing.

How It Works

• Students speak into a microphone, and the software types out their words in documents, emails, discussion posts, or assignment submissions.

• It allows for hands-free writing and can improve speed and ease of communication for students who struggle with traditional keyboard input.

• When assessments or activities require text input, speech-to-text provides an equitable way for students to demonstrate knowledge without physical barriers.

What They Do
Alternative input devices are tools that allow students with physical or mobility impairments to interact with digital content without using a traditional keyboard and mouse. These devices provide more accessible ways to navigate, type, and control a computer based on the user’s specific needs.

How They Work

• Students may use devices such as switch controls, head pointers, eye-tracking systems, adaptive keyboards, or voice-controlled input to interact with course materials.

• These tools help students navigate D2L, open and complete assignments, participate in discussions, and access readings or multimedia content.

• Clear structure, logical navigation, and properly labeled buttons or links help ensure that alternative input users can move through course content efficiently and independently.

What It Does
Screen magnification software enlarges on-screen content, making text, images, and page elements easier to see for individuals with low vision. This assistive technology helps users read, navigate, and interact with digital materials more comfortably and accurately.

How It Works

• Students use keyboard commands, mouse gestures, or touch controls to zoom in on specific areas of the screen.

• This software may include features like smoothing, color enhancements, focus tracking, and cursor customization to aid visibility.

• Clean, uncluttered layouts and consistent formatting in D2L help users stay oriented when magnifying content.

• Sufficient color contrast, scalable text, and responsive design are essential to prevent distortion and ensure readability at higher zoom levels.

What They Do
Refreshable Braille displays are devices that convert on-screen text into tactile Braille characters, allowing students who are blind to read digital content through touch. The display updates dynamically, “refreshing” the Braille cells as the user moves through text.

How They Work in Online Courses

• Students connect the display to a computer, tablet, or mobile device to access D2L pages, documents, and other course materials.

• The device works alongside screen reader software, which sends the text output to the Braille display in real time.

• Properly structured and tagged digital content is essential for accurate Braille translation, including headings, lists, tables, and alt text for images.

• Clear navigation, descriptive links, and accessible file formats ensure that Braille display users can read, complete assignments, and participate fully in online courses.